The incidence of workplace deaths fell by almost one-third last year. However the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has expressed concern at the continuing high rate of farm accidents.
Some 50 work-related deaths were reported to the HSA last year, compared with 74 fatalities in 2005.
The large reduction is explained by the almost halving of the number of construction-related deaths.
Just 12 people were killed in this sector in the past year, compared with 23 in 2005.
The agriculture sector accounted for 18 deaths last year, the same number as the previous year. Ten of the agricultural deaths involved people over 65 years. Two children died in farm-related deaths last year, the same number as in 2005.
Cork county accounted for eight of the fatal accidents in the agricultural sector.
The most common reasons given for fatal accidents last year were "fall, collapse or breakage of material" or "falls from height".
Other reasons given were "loss of control of machinery" and "loss of control of transport or handling equipment". Four fatalities involved animals.
More than 7,000 non-fatal work injuries were reported to the HSA last year.
"Handling, lifting and carrying" accounted for 32 per cent of these injuries. "Slips, trips and falls" accounted for 16 per cent.
These two categories have been the two most common accident triggers for the past six years.
Michael Henry, deputy chief executive of the HSA, said the figures were proof of the need for a "national culture of workplace health and safety".
He said while the sharp reduction in construction fatalities was welcome, there was no room for complacency. "We must be seriously concerned that there has not been a reduction in the numbers being killed on our farms. Farmers are still taking chances at work and it is clearly not worth it."
The HSA is currently involved in its biggest ever farm safety effort. In recent weeks it has delivered a new Code of Practice in Agriculture to every farmer in the State, and it is preparing a major media campaign to promote the plan.
"Some €1.5 million has been spent on the new code and its associated campaign," Mr Henry said. "We can reduce the numbers of fatalities and serious accidents on farms by using the code and making farm safety a priority in 2007."
